“As a former staffer at Domino Magazine (R.I.P.), I learned that design can and should be accessible to everyone.  Your home should be a vital expression of who you are, a place that really feels like it’s a part of you.  If your home isn’t the home of your dreams, you should be empowered to make those dreams come true, no matter your budget!  Design is design is design, and truly good design can make a world of difference.  My style is very eclectic.  I’m not a very matchy-matchy kind of gal. I like to collect pieces that have a soul; I know true love when I see it.  Usually, your first instinct is correct; although, I think it’s important to step outside the box and take some aesthetic risks.  Taste and design sense should be constantly evolving animals.  So don’t be afraid to push your limits, it’s how we grow!  On a personal note, design and interiors are what makes my world go round.  I’m always happiest and totally blissed-out when I’m out there discovering new designers, and featuring the beauty they have to offer on my blog Urban Flea.  I have boxes upon boxes of gorgeous fabric and wallpaper samples, and shelves chock-full of design books.  They’re like my children!  There’s something that gets filled up in my soul when I’m living in the design world.  My dream and ultimate goal?  To have my own decorating firm complete with a lovely little shop; that’s a long way off at the moment, but I’m always grateful to the wonderful and supportive design blogosphere, it’s truly an honor to be a part of.  Like I said, I love finding new and unusual sources that are budget-friendly; it’s like being an explorer of sorts, spelunking through the world of interiors.  And now, I present to you a few of my favorite secret sources!  Most of them are Chicago-based, but all of them have great and resourceful websites that cater to anyone and everyone. ”

1. Wallpaper from the 70s
The 1970s have a bad reputation; one that includes the abhorrent likes of avocado-green wall to wall shag and sparkly pink formica. (Blech!)  But there’s a different more intriguing side to the decade, namely, wallpaper.  It was an era that spawned some fantastic motifs, and the awesome online source Wallpaper from the 70s has made it their mission to revive some of those oldies but goodies.  And what goodies indeed!  And yes, they are super-affordable.  You can spend hours trolling through their humongous catalog of vintage papers, gleaning some great inspiration.  So head on over and treat your peepers to some vintage-glory!

2. Fort Pitt Furniture
This one is based in good old Chi-town, but there are similar ventures all over the country.  Specializing in high-end hotel furniture liquidations from the likes of the Ritz and the Kohler Resort and Spa, they are constantly acquiring great quality pieces for dirt, and I mean dirt, cheap.  Many of the items could use some reupholstering and refinishing, but the bones are always superb, and for such a low price, definitely worth the extra effort.

3. American Science and Surplus
Also a longtime Chicago-staple, the fabulously quirky American Science and Surplus carries a wide variety of the wonderful and weird for super-low prices.  I’m a fan of their little glass beakers and ampules for showcasing flower arrangements, it’s a fun and unexpected touch.  I also love their spiffy Radiometer Light, it has that great industrial/ mad-scientist flair that’s always a ripe conversation starter.  Their website is extensive and accessible, definitely head on over and check it out.

4. Nadeau
When I first walked into Nadeau’s gigantic warehouse, I swear tears of joy came to my eyes.  I was in super-affordable furniture heaven.  Since 1992, they have been establishing great relationships with artisans and suppliers all over the globe, but particularly in Asia.  Their wholesale-priced furniture is consistently of beautiful quality, usually handmade in solid and fine woods.  They also carry a big selection of accessories including mirrors, textiles, storage, and other little unique bits and bobs.  Their website is called “Furniture with a Soul,” and I couldn’t agree more.

5. Supermarket
A recent discovery of mine, the brilliant Supermarket seeks to “connect you directly with designers and the great things they make.”  Simple and perfect, don’t you think?  Supporting independent designers is a particular passion of mine, and Supermarket is a great expression of that mission.  They maintain very high aesthetic standards, and pricing is generally very affordable, depending on what designer you are looking at.  You’ll find everything from furniture to jewelry to art and lighting; you want it, they’ve got it somewhere in their impressive online inventory.  Swing by and feel the Supermarket love!

6. Lincoln Antique Mall

This amazing antique outpost has been around in Chicagoland for a very long time, with good reason.  I love nothing more than spending a rainy afternoon burying myself in their many many many vintage treasures.  They manage to find some of the best and chicest pieces I’ve seen in awhile, and very often will retool and update them to perfection.  Unfortunately they don’t have an online shop, but they do feature their wares on Craigslist.

Whoo Hoo!

Created by one of our favorite design guru’s, the creator of the amazing company Rubie Green, former Domino editor, and fellow blog panelist Michelle Adam along with her partner in crime the amazing photographer Patrick Cline. Lonny is a godsend in the design world, here to fill the void that Domino Magazine left when it ceased to exist.

Though Adam’s and Cline do not want to replace Domino they do want to “help bridge the cap between traditional print magazine and the online world”.  Their mission is to “reopen the doors of accessible design. By embracing an online platform we provide inspiration at the click of a finger, directly connecting our readers to their favorite products and resources. “

We are obsessed with Lonny already and know you will be too!

We demand you go check it out today and for every new addition they have! We know you won’t be disappointed!

PVE Design: This inspirational blog is brought to you by Patricia van Essche; a talented artist and tastemaker who is making a name for herself in the design world. Her mission is to “design, create and inspire an artful life” which she does beautifully by sharing with her readers what inspires her as well as her one of a kind artwork. She is a great source to consult when looking for inspiration or just to put a smile on your face.

Otto: Created by Jean Lin, Otto is a design blog that focuses on architecture and design. She had a weekly mailing that everyone must sign up for as well as daily posts that are exciting and interesting, always promoting inspiration and thought. With a background in fashion, Jean keeps her finger on the pulse of many different fields of design that keeps her post constantly fresh and exciting. This blog is one everyone needs to add to their daily blog role, you won’t be disappointed!

In the coming days we want to highlight each blog on our panel with a post to show our respect for their work. Be sure to bookmark, because they’re the best!

The Designers Collaborative: This amazing new blog was created by a group of 10 professional designers that joined forces fifteen years ago, and are still as current and creative as ever. Their goal is to “inspire, inform, and provide an insider’s view into the world of design.” They created the blog to showcase their work as well as the work of other artists that influence their work. Each post is filled with amazing images and ideas that we’re sure will inspire you as well!

The Design Calendar: This blog started in 2004 as a simple web calendar featuring events and happening in the design industry. They expanded to add their amazing blog only 2 years later, with each post giving in-depth event descriptions and cueing readers to different activities going on in their communities and the world. Read them daily, and get out there and experience the design world first hand!